In numbers: What’s stopping people from switching to ‘greener’ habits?

edie rounds up the key findings of three recent surveys on green behaviour change

Those keen to troll those taking part in climate strikes often take the line that only “he who is without sin can cast the first stone”, arguing that they’ve seen protestors arrive by taxi or bring snacks housed in single-use plastics.

And while this narrative has allowed for the spread of several hoax stories regarding the behaviour of the public during strikes, the fact remains that certain aspects of culture, policy, infrastructure and economics make adopting “greener” behaviour a challenge for many. As Global Footprint Network points out, it’s near impossible to lead a lifestyle compatible with a “one-planet” approach within systems which are not.

With this in mind, several surveys in recent months have been conducted with the aim of uncovering barriers to bringing about “green” behaviour change at scale among members of the general public.

One that received much media coverage was carried out by uSwitch, which asked 2,0002 UK adults for their views on funding the net-zero transition and the cost of low-carbon domestic technologies.

Another, from parking firm RingGo, asked 2,010 UK adults about their transport-related needs and wants in terms of climate impact and technology costs.

The last detailed here is from commercial drainage firm Metro Rod, which surveyed 2,200 UK workers about whose responsibility it is to improve the environmental impact of workplaces.

Together, the results of these surveys provide a snapshot of which behavioural changes members of the public will gladly make in the name of sustainability – and those which require more support of some kind, be it from business, central Government or elsewhere.

Sarah George 

Comments (2)

  1. Ian Byrne says:

    Many small firms still don’t have proper recycling facilities in the workplace, in part because of the additional costs incurred with multiple waste streams. So I find myself taking home my apple cores and read newspapers where they are able to be recycled at no extra cost. (I currently rent an office from a large workspace provider, which probably ought to do better!)

  2. Patricia Prabhu says:

    I wanted to buy a small, basic electric car seven years ago. There wasn’t one available. So I bought my present Nisan Pixo. It is small, basic, no central locking or electric windows. I hope I can buy a similar electric car when I need a new one in about three to five years time. The technology is available. If the Government banned new petrol and deisel cars within, say, the next five years, the car manufacturers would get their act together! I live in a country area where there is NO public transport. I try to drive as little as possible.

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